January 28, 2021
The Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation (BIEDO) has organised two consultation sessions next month to brief landholders about the ramifications of proposed new Barrier Reef protection regulations.
BIEDO project officer Alan Broome said while the new Draft Standard specifically referred to cropping and horticulture, all landowners needed to understand the proposed regulations.
“If you own or operate any enterprise on rural land in the catchment area it would be in your interest to attend,” Mr Broome said.
The conditions relate to the way the land (or features of the land) are designed, implemented and maintained, and include soil and erosion control measures and irrigation requirements.
From June 1, new or expanded commercial cropping and horticulture activities in catchments – including the Burnett Mary region – on five hectares or more will require an environmental permit before the activity or any work takes place.
The aim is to achieve “no net decline” in water quality by preventing and minimising nutrient and sediment run-off flowing to the Great Barrier Reef.
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington said the new regulations would affect every landholder in the Reef Catchment area, meaning property owners in the South Burnett and Gympie council areas.
She encouraged landholders to attend the consultation sessions, which will be held in Kingaroy and Monto.
“These regulations will have a major impact on farming operations in our region,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“The role of the government should be to work alongside farmers and communities towards environmental outcomes, instead of ramming unworkable laws down their throats.
“I urge you to consider making a submission letting the government know how this will impact your business.”
The sessions will be held at:
- South Burnett – Kingaroy Town Hall, 6:30pm, Tuesday, February 9
- North Burnett – Monto Town Hall, 6:30pm, Thursday, February 11
For COVID-19 and catering purposes, attendees should register in advance on the BIEDO website
Submissions on the draft standard conditions close on February 17.
Comments can be provided via email or write to: Reef Protection Regulations, Office of the Great Barrier Reef, Department of Environment and Science, GPO Box 2454, Brisbane, Qld, 4001.
- Download: Draft of the Environmentally Relevant Activity (ERA) standard (395kb PDF)
- External link: Have Your Say
